Gardening tool

ABSTRACT

A gardening tool, such as a mower, has a main body having an accessory, such as a mowing blade, and a motor for driving the accessory. A handle is rotatably connected to the main body. At least one operation assembly is associated with the handle for being operated by a user to control the motor when the handle is located in a predetermined position. A control system prevents the motor from being controlled by the operation assembly and halts the motor when the handle is located out of the predetermined position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/406,337, filed May 8, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/910,282, filed Mar. 2,2018, which claims the benefit of and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/250,476, filed Aug. 29, 2016, which iscontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/511,490, filed on Oct. 10,2014, which application claims the benefit of CN 201310468919.9, filedon Oct. 10, 2013, and CN 201410167041.X, filed on Apr. 23, 2014, andalso claims the benefit of and is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/238,276, filed on Aug. 16, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/048,158, filed Oct. 8,2013, which application claims the benefit of CN 201210387914.9, filedon Oct. 15, 2012, and CN 201220602040.X, filed on May 3, 2013, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to gardening tools, and moreparticularly to mowers.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

A gardening tool such as a mower performs the tool function mainly in away that a motor of a main body brings functional accessories (e.g., ablade) into operation. Generally speaking, such tools are characterizedby higher power and movement of the functional accessories ischaracterized by high speed and high frequency, which therefore maybring certain hidden danger to an inattentive operator's safety.Currently danger is usually avoided by providing a longer handle to tryand keep the operator far away from the main body. However, in order toconveniently receive the mower, the handle is received in a manner suchas folding or rotating. In this way, it is possible that when the handleis in a received state and the user is too close to the main body, theuser misoperates the switch and thereby starts the mower, whereupon theoperator may place themselves into danger by getting too close to themain body.

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a gardening tool includes: a main bodyat least having a functional accessory and a motor for driving thefunctional accessory; a handle rotatably connected to the main body andat least having one operation assembly for being operated by a user tocontrol the motor when the handle is in a secure position; and a controlsystem capable of preventing the motor from being controlled by theoperation assembly and halting the motor meanwhile when the handle isout of the secure position.

Particularly, the gardening tool is a mower, wherein the motor is anelectric motor and the functional accessory is a mowing blade.

The gardening tool, particularly a mower according to the presentdisclosure can control the motor and the functional accessorycomprehensively according to the rotation position of the handle and theinstant operation state of the handle. When the handle is in a state ofabnormal use, even if the operation assembly on the handle for normallystarting operation of the tool is misoperated, the motor and thefunctional accessory are not driven, and thereby ensure the user'ssafety and prevent occurrence of danger.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary gardening tool constructedaccording to the subject disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view of the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of a handle and its angle levelmechanism of the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a level changing member of the tool ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating that a telescopic tube does notextend to a designated position in the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating that the telescopic tube extendsto a designated position in the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating that a handle rotates to adesignated position in the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating that a handle does not rotate toa designated position in the tool of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a control device also constructedaccording to the subject disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the portion shown in FIG. 9 when thehandle rotates to a designated position.

FIG. 11 is a schematic, isometric view showing an exemplary lawncareapparatus constructed according to the description which follows whereinan operating arm is folded.

FIG. 12 is a side schematic view showing the exemplary lawncareapparatus of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an exemplary safety switch assemblyof the lawncare apparatus of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 is a side schematic view showing the lawncare apparatus of FIG.11 in a storage position.

FIG. 15 is a side schematic view showing the lawncare apparatus of FIG.11 in an obliquely disposed, pulling position.

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofexemplary embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Correspondingreference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 10 , as a preferred embodiment, agardening tool according to the present invention is an electric mower100.

The mower 100 comprises a main body 10, a handle 20 and a controlsystem. The handle 20 is rotatably connected to the main body 10. Theuser may achieve accommodation by rotating the handle 20 to adjust anoperation posture or reducing space occupied by the mower 100.

The main body 10 comprises a motor and a functional accessory. Thefunctional accessory is used to perform the function of the tool.Regarding the mower 10, the functional accessory is a mowing blade. Themotor functions to drive the functional accessory to move in a certainmanner to achieve the tool function. Regarding the mower 100, the motordrives the functional accessory to rotate at a high speed. The followingdescription is explained with the motor being an electric motor—which isnot intended to be limiting.

To make the user have a comfortable and reliable operating experience,the handle 20 preferably comprises two handle bars. The ends of thehandle bars close to the main body 10 are respectively connected to arotation shaft 21 to achieve rotatable connection with the main body 10,and the ends away from the main body 10 are provided with an operationassembly therebetween. Regarding the mower 100, the operation assemblycomprises a trigger B. By operating the trigger B, the user may achievecontrol of the mower 100 to start or stop the motor. Certainly, theoperation assembly may also comprise other operating members such as abutton.

The handle 20 at least comprises two telescopic tubes 20 a, 20 b.Specifically, one telescopic tube 20 b forms a sleeve structure, and theother telescopic tube 20 a is inserted into the telescopic tube 20 b toform a slidable connection so that the telescopic tube 20 a can achievetelescoping.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , inorder to achieve adjustment of angle level when the handle 20 rotates,the angle level mechanism comprises a level changing member 23 and alocking mechanism 24 and is disposed at the rotation shaft 21 forconnecting the handle 20 and the main body 10. The handle 20 is providedwith the locking mechanism 24 which is automatically snap fitted with aplurality of levels of the level changing member 23 so as to fix andadjust the handle 20.

The level changing member 23 is used to set levels and cooperate withthe locking mechanism to lock the levels. As a preferred embodiment, thelevel changing member 23 is a level change locking plate 231 which is inthe shape of a plate structure. Certainly, the level changing member maytake other forms such as a block shape. Besides, a mounting notch 233 isprovided in a lower portion of the level change locking plate 231 sothat the rotation shaft 21 will not be hindered upon rotating to changethe level. Noticeably, the levels are a plurality of limiting holes 235a, 235 b, 235 c or an arcuate limiting notch 234 preferably formed onthe level change locking plate 231, and the limiting holes 235 a, 235 b,235 c are located on the two sides of the limiting notch 234.

To better and flexibly adjust and fix the levels, the locking mechanism24 comprises a level changing assembly for adjusting the levels and acontrol assembly for controlling the level changing assembly.

The level changing assembly comprises an automatic telescopic pin 241, apin sleeve 242 and an elastic member 243, wherein the automatictelescopic pin 241 may cooperate with the limiting holes 235 a, 235 b,235 c and the limiting notch 234 to achieve level locking, the pinsleeve 242 is fixedly connected to an outer pipe 20 b and sleeved aroundthe outer periphery of the automatic telescopic pin 241 so as toconstitute a slidable connection with the automatic telescopic pin 241,and the elastic member 243 may elastically eject the automatictelescopic pin 241 to the level of the level change locking plate 231 toachieve automatic locking of the level in the absence of an externalforce.

As a preferred solution, an end of the pin sleeve 242 fixedly connectedto the outer pipe 20 b is provided with external threads, and the outerpipe 20 b is provided with a through hole 247 at the connection betweenthe pin sleeve 242 and the outer pipe 20 b. The through hole 247 isinternally processed to form internal threads for mating with theexternal threads of the pin sleeve 242, so that the pin sleeve 242 isfixedly connected with the outer pipe 20 b. Certainly, other methods mayalso be employed: for example, the portion of the pin sleeve 242provided with external threads passes through the outer pipe 20 b andthen is fixedly connected with a nut 246 so as to fixedly connect thepin sleeve 242 and the outer pipe 20 b.

To enable the automatic telescopic pin 241 to automatically cooperatewith the levels better, a pin limiting structure is formed on theautomatic telescopic pin 241, a sleeve limiting structure is formed onthe pin sleeve 242, and the elastic member 243 is located between thepin limiting structure and the sleeve limiting structure. Preferably,the elastic member 243 is a spiral spring, the pin limiting structure isan annular step formed on an outer periphery of the automatic telescopicpin 241, and the sleeve limiting structure is an annular step formed inthe pin sleeve 242. As such, one end of the spiral spring abuts againstthe pin limiting structure, and the other end abuts against the sleevelimiting structure so that the automatic telescopic pin 241 tends tomove towards the level of the level changing member to achieve automaticlevel locking.

Upon level change operation, the automatic telescopic pin 241 needs toretreat out of a level and move, whereby the control assembly is neededto bring the automatic telescopic pin 241 to move.

The control assembly comprises an operation member 244 and a fixingmember 245, wherein the operation member 244 is an executing member usedby the operator to achieve level adjustment, and the operation member244 is provided with an anti-skid structure at an end thereof to bemanually held so that that the operator may control the operation member244 more reliably. The automatic telescopic pin 241 passes through thepin sleeve 242 and the outer pipe 20 b and is rotatably connected to theother end of the operation member 244. Preferably, a shaft hole isformed at the connection between the automatic telescopic pin 241 andthe operation member 244, and a shaft is inserted into the shaft hole torotatably connect the automatic telescopic pin 241 and the operationmember 244.

The fixing member 7 is fixedly connected to the outer pipe 20 b providedwith the through hole 247, and the operation member 244 is rotatablyconnected to the fixing member 245. To allow for rotatable connectionbetween the operation member 244 and the fixing member 245, as apreferred solution, a connection shaft hole 240 is formed on both thefixing member 245 and the operation member 244, and upon installation, arotation shaft is inserted into the connection shaft hole 240 to formthe rotatable connection. The resultant rotatable connection is not onlyfirm and reliable, but also simple in structure and easy to install. Assuch, the operation member 244 is formed as a lever with a location forconnection with the fixing member 245 as a pivot point. When an externalforce drives the anti-skid handle of the operation member to approachthe outer pipe 20, the automatic telescopic pin 241, due to the actionof the operation member 244, is forced to move away from the levelchanging member and retract out of the level to get ready for leveladjustment.

To further improve convenience in use, the operation assembly furthercomprises a return member 248 enabling the operation member 244 toreturn automatically in the absence of an external force. Preferably,the return member 248 may be a torsion spring sleeved around the outerperiphery of the rotation shaft. One end of the torsion spring abutsagainst the operation member 244, and the other end thereof abutsagainst the fixing member 7 or the outer pipe 20 b fixedly connected tothe fixing member 245. Therefore, in the absence of the external force,elastic energy of the torsion spring drives the operation member 244 toachieve automatic return. Certainly, the return member 248 here may alsobe designed based on magnetic energy, which is a readily-envisagedvariation and not detailed herein.

The above depictions have introduced a multi-level operation handlemechanism capable of achieving automatic level change conveniently andreliably. A protective cover 249 is mounted outside the outer pipe 20 bmounted with the pin sleeve 242 to protect the multi-level operationhandle mechanism and the mower and provide a more pleasant and compactappearance.

To make the level change locking plate 231 more firmly fixed to a mainbody of the mower, the level change locking plate 231 bends and extendsin a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 21 to form a stoppingstructure 232. The main body of the mower is provided with a mountingstructure for cooperating with the stopping structure 232. The mountingstructure may be, but need not be limited to, a groove integrally formedwith the main body of the mower and configured to accommodate thestopping structure 232. As such, the level change locking plate 231 isfixed on the main body of the mower via screws. Furthermore, thecooperation of the stopping structure 232 and the mounting structure caneffectively prevent displacement and ensure very reliable installationand limiting of the stopping structure 232 and the mounting structure.

As a preferred embodiment, the levels comprise limiting holes 235 a, 235b, 235 c and a limiting notch 234, wherein there are three limitingholes with two of them being adjacent to each other and located on thesame side of the limiting notch 14. A first height level 235 a and asecond height level 235 b are used to adjust the height of the operationhandle upon normal use of the mower to meet the needs of different usergroups with different heights, and the remaining limiting hole 235 c isarranged on the other side of the limiting notch 234 and used as anaccommodating level for folding the handle upon accommodating the mower.The limiting notch 234 is a movable level having an arc-shaped end andallowing the automatic telescopic pin 241 to move upon grass dumpingoperation.

The control system is used to ensure security when the user is using themower 100, and it at least can lock the motor so that the motor is notcontrolled by the operation assembly when the handle 20 does not rotateto a designated position, thus the motor remains in a stop state and notstarted.

The advantage of this configuration is that when the handle 20 does notrotate to the designated position (generally a working position of thehandle 20, the position of the handle 20 in FIG. 1 ), it can be ensuredthat even though the user misoperates the operation assembly, e.g.,inadvertently pulls the trigger B, the motor is locked and cannot bestarted, thereby preventing accidental movement from causing injury tothe user's body. That is because when the handle 20 does not rotate tothe designated position, the user has not gotten ready for mowing and hemight be in a dangerous position and vulnerable to injury.

In consideration of the above and in order to consider all possiblerisks upon use of the mower to provide security and protection to theuser, the control system comprise at least two control devices, whereinone control device can control the motor only when the remaining controldevices all are in a designated state.

As such, only when the control devices responsible for monitoring riskitems all are in a designated state corresponding to absence of dangercan the control device in the control system initiatively controlled bythe user be unlocked to achieve its function. If one control deviceresponsible for monitoring risk items is in a state corresponding topresence of danger, it locks the control device in the control systeminitiatively controlled by the user so that the user cannot start themotor, and stops the running motor and functional accessory in case thatthe motor is running.

Preferably, the control system comprises a first control devicecontrolled by the user via the operation assembly. The first controldevice can be operated by the user to start the motor only when theremaining control devices in the control system all are in thedesignated state. The first control device is a user end control devicethat can be locked by any other control devices responsible formonitoring risk items in the control system.

The first control device may comprise a first switch or a first signalsource device, or a combination thereof.

Generally, to achieve control of the user end, only one first switch orone first signal source device is needed. However, for the sake ofsecurity, to make sure that the user's operation is indeed intended tostart the mower 100 and ensure safety, the first control devicecomprises a plurality of first switches and a plurality of first signalsource devices, preferably two first switches, wherein one first switchis a contact switch that can be triggered by the trigger B and connectedin series in a power supply circuit of the motor, and the motor is notpowered when it is switched off, and it switches on the circuit when itis triggered by the trigger B. The other first switch is a positionswitch which is also connected in series in the power supply circuit ofthe motor, and it switches on the circuit when it detects that thetrigger B moves to a corresponding position. As such, security guaranteemay be increased by determining double control.

Certainly, one first signal source device may be set. This first signalsource device may be a photoelectric switch which participates incontrol by sending a control signal to the switch in the power supplycircuit. The photoelectric switch may be used to detect the user'soperation action or detect whether there is an obstacle in anadvancement direction of the mower 100.

Preferably, the first switch is one of a contact switch, a proximityswitch, a Hall switch and a photoelectric switch, and the first signalsource device is one of a contact switch, a proximity switch, a Hallswitch and a photoelectric switch.

Referring to FIG. 1 , as the simplest solution, the first control deviceonly comprises one first switch which is connected in series in thepower supply circuit. The first switch is a contact switch SW that canbe controlled by the trigger B.

The risk items monitored by the control device may comprise: an angle ofthe handle relative to the main body, telescopic situations of thetelescopic tubes, electric power source temperature, motor temperatureand blocked rotation.

When the angle of the handle relative to the main body is taken as therisk item to be monitored, the control system comprises a second controldevice that can be controlled by the handle according to its rotation.When the handle rotates to a designated position relative to the mainbody, the second control device unlocks the first control device so thatthe first control device can start the motor, and when the handlerotates to a position other than the designated position relative to themain body, the second control device locks the first control device sothat the first control device cannot start the motor.

The second control device comprises a second switch or a second signalsource device, or a combination thereof. The second switch is connectedin the power supply circuit, and the second signal source device cansend a control signal to the power supply circuit.

The second switch is one of a contact switch, a proximity switch, a Hallswitch and a photoelectric switch; and the second signal source deviceis one of a contact switch, a proximity switch, a Hall switch and aphotoelectric switch.

Referring to FIG. 2 , FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , as a preferred solution, thesecond control device only comprises a second switch disposed at therotation shaft of the handle. The second switch is a contact switch SW1secured to the main body 10. A contact is provided on one side of thesecond switch towards the rotation shaft 21. A trigger member 22 isprovided at a location in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 21corresponding to the contact switch SW1. When the handle 20 brings therotation shaft 21 to rotate, the trigger member 22 triggers the contactof the contact switch SW1 when it rotates to a designated angle(generally, when the handle 20 rotates to a designated secure position).

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , as another preferred solution, thesecond control device only comprises a second switch disposed at therotation shaft of the handle. The second switch is a contact switchSW1′. The contact switch SW1′ is mounted on the handle 20′ and rotatesalong with it. A contact of the contact switch SW1′ faces towards a mainbody 10′. The main body 10′ is provided with a fixed trigger member 22′.A slant surface F is formed on one side of the trigger member 22′opposite to the handle 20′. When the handle 20′ rotates, the contactswitch SW1′ rotates along with it. When the handle 20′ rotates to acertain angle, the slant surface F gradually presses the contact of thecontact switch SW1′ along with the rotation, and when the handle 20′rotates to a designated angle, the slant surface F completely triggersthe contact switch SW1′.

When the telescopic situation of the telescopic tube is taken as therisk item to be monitored, the control system further comprises a thirdcontrol device. The third control device can be controlled by atelescopic action of one telescopic tube 20 a. When the telescopic tubeextends to a designated position relative to the other telescopic tube,the third control device unlocks the first control device so that thefirst control device can start the motor, and when the telescopic tubeextends to a position other than the designated position, the thirdcontrol device locks the first control device so that the first controldevice cannot start the motor.

The third control device comprises a third switch or a third signalsource device, wherein the third switch is connected in the power supplycircuit, and the third signal source device can send a control signal tothe power supply circuit.

Preferably, the third switch is one of a contact switch, a proximityswitch, a Hall switch and a photoelectric switch; and the third signalsource device is one of a contact switch, a proximity switch, a Hallswitch and a photoelectric switch.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , as a preferred solution, the thirdcontrol device only comprises a second switch disposed at an end of thetelescopic tube 20 b. The second switch is a contact switch SW2. Thetelescopic tube 20 b is a sleeve structure. A contact P of the contactswitch SW2 penetrates a pipe wall of the telescopic tube 20 b andextends into the sleeve structure. The telescopic tube 20 a is insertedinto the telescopic tube 20 b, and a trigger member 20 a′ is disposed ata bottom end of the telescopic tube 20 a. When the telescopic tube 20 ais drawn out of the telescopic tube 20 b (i.e., when the handle 20 is inan extended state), the trigger member 20 a′ triggers the contact P ofthe contact switch SW2 via contact.

Preferably, the contact switch SW, the contact switch SW1 and thecontact switch SW2 all are connected in series on the same line of thepower supply circuit. When one of the contact switch SW1 and the contactswitch SW2 switches off, no matter whether the contact switch SW istriggered by the trigger B to be in an off or on state, the power supplycircuit cannot communicate with the line to allow the electric powersource to provide electrical energy to the motor, thereby achievingsafety protection.

As a preferred solution, in order to prevent the functional accessoryfrom moving due to inertia and thereby causing injury to the user afterthe motor turns off, the mower 100 further comprises a brake systemconfigured to brake the mowing blade by physical contact. The brakesystem can brake the functional accessory at least when the controlsystem controls the motor to stop.

Specifically, any one of the control devices controls the motor to turnoff, and then the control system controls the brake system to stop themowing blade from continuing to move due to the inertia, therebyachieving urgent braking. Such braking may be achieved by contacting themowing blade or by contacting a transmission member fixedly connectedthereto.

In the brake system, electrical control of entity devices may beachieved by attraction and release of an electromagnet.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , in the illustrated embodiment, thelawncare apparatus is a hand push lawnmower. The lawncare apparatusincludes a main body 1, a first pair of wheels 101 and a second pair ofwheels 102 supporting the main body 1, a cutting blade disposed in themain body 1, a motor driving the cutting blade, and an operating arm 2connected to the first end (rear end) of the main body 1. The first pairof wheels 101 and the second pair of wheels 102 are disposedrespectively at the second end (front end) and the first end (rear end)of the main body 1. The operating arm 2 is pivotally connected to therear end of the main body 1 by a pivot shaft 202 and positioned abovethe second pair of wheels 102. The front end of the main body 1, whichis away from the operating arm 2, includes an elongated handle 103. Inthe illustrated embodiment the elongated handle 103 is substantiallycylinder-shaped and includes an axis Z2 along the longitude direction.The operating arm 2 includes a cylindrical gripping portion 203 and canbe folded to a folded position, and the cylindrical gripping portion 203includes an axial central line Z1.

When the operating arm is at the folded position and the first pair ofwheels 101 and the second pair of wheels 102 both contact the horizontalsurface F, if the gripping portion 203 is above the handle 103, thedistance d1 in the vertical direction between the axial central line Z1and the axis Z2 along the longitude direction is greater than the sum ofthe radius of the gripping portion 203 and the radius of thecylinder-shaped handle 103, and the distance d1 is less than 5 cm. Forexample, the diameters of the gripping portion 203 and thecylinder-shaped handle 103 are both 1.5 cm, then the distance d1 is atleast greater than 1.5 cm. Preferably, the distance d1 is 3 cm, and adistance d2 in the horizontal direction between the axial central lineZ1 and the axis Z2 is also less than 5 cm, and in the illustratedembodiment, the distance d2 is preferably 0.5 cm. Therefore, when theoperating arm 2 is at the folded position, the user can grip both thegripping portion 203 and the cylinder-shaped handle 103 conveniently.

Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, to allow the user to gripboth the gripping portion 203 and the cylinder-shaped handle 103 moreconveniently, the internal profile of the gripping portion 203 is matedwith the external profile of the cylinder-shaped handle 103, such thatwhen the operation arm 2 is at the folded position, the outer surface ofthe gripping portion 203 and the cylinder-shaped handle 103 contact witheach other. At this time, the gripping portion 203 and thecylinder-shaped handle 103 can lie in a horizontal plane, the distanced2 in the horizontal direction between the axial central line Z1 and theaxis Z2 is larger than the sum of the radius of the gripping portion 203and the radius of the cylinder-shaped handle 103, and the distance d1 iszero. It should be noted that the external profile of the grippingportion 203 may be designed to mate with the internal profile of thecylinder-shaped handle 103.

To allow the user to grip both the gripping portion 203 and thecylinder-shaped handle 103 more stably, a clip K is disposed on thehandle 103. When the operation arm is at the folded position, the clip Kis engaged with the cylindrical gripping portion 203.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the operating arm 2 isextendable, and a safety switch assembly 240 is disposed in theoperating arm 2, the operating arm 2 includes an inner pipe 25 and anouter pipe 201, the outer pipe 201 is rotatably connected to the rearend of the main body 1 by the pivot shaft 202, and the end of the outerpipe 201 includes a pipe sleeve 204.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the safety switch assembly 240 is disposed in thesleeve pipe 224 and a safety shift structure 25 a is disposed in theinner pipe 25. The safety switch assembly 240 includes a safety switch2401 and a trigger assembly 2402 configured to trigger the safety switch2401 when the safety shift structure 25 a of the inner pipe 25 isdisengaged from a safety location and reset the safety switch 2401 whenthe safety shift structure 25 a returns to the safety location. Thesafety switch 2401 is electrically connected to a control circuit forcontrolling the motor in the main body 1.

In the embodiment, the trigger assembly 2402 is a contacting springsheet. One end of the contacting spring sheet is connected to the safetyswitch 2401 and the other end is a free end. When the inner pipe 25slides, the wall of the inner pipe 25 presses the contacting springsheet to trigger the safety switch 2401. The contacting spring sheet2402 is formed with elasticity. When the inner pipe 25 slides, thesafety shift structure 25 a moves back to the safe position and, at thistime, the safety shift structure 25 a is within a receiving grooveconfigured to accommodate the contacting spring sheet, and thecontacting spring sheet 2402 is out of outer force and will not triggerthe safety switch 2401.

When the inner pipe 25 is retracted into the outer pipe 201, the safetyshift structure 25 a leaves the safe position and the wall of the innerpipe 25 presses the contacting spring sheet 2402 to trigger the safetyswitch. At this time, even during the transporting process, if the useroperates the operating switch by mistake, the motor cannot be started,which can reduce the possibility of danger happening to the user.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 12 again, when the lawnmower is at theusing position, the first pair wheels 101 and the second pair wheels 102are supported on the supporting surface F. If light is shining from adirection perpendicular to the supporting surface F, the main body 1 ofthe lawnmower projects a first orthographic projection on the supportingsurface F. Referring to FIG. 14 , the lawnmower is at the storageposition. When the lawnmower is stored, the lawnmower stands uprightlyfor storing in a storage room and the operating arm 2 is folded and onlythe second wheels 2 are supported on the supporting surface F. Forimproving stability, a supporting portion 206 is disposed on the mainbody 1 for supporting on the supporting surface F, and the supportingportion can be integrated with or separated from the main body 1. In thesame way, at this time if light is shining from a directionperpendicular to the supporting surface F, the main body 1 of thelawnmower projects a second orthographic projection on the supportingsurface F. Since the width of the lawnmower at the using position is thesame as that of the lawnmower at the storage position, and the distanceD1 between the first pair wheels 101 and the second pair wheels 102 islarger than the distance D2 between the first pair of wheels 101 and thesupporting portion 206, the first orthographic projection area of thelawnmower at the using position is larger than the second orthographicprojection area of the lawnmower at the storage position.

Referring to FIG. 15 , when the lawnmower is changed from the usingposition to the obliquely pulled position, only the second pair wheels102 contact the supporting surface and the hands of the user grip a pullportion which is preferably the cylindrical gripping portion 203. Atthis time, the operating arm 2 is at the folded position, the distanceof the gripping portion 203 relative to the supporting surface F is H;the distance of the gripping portion 203 relative to the point thesecond pairs wheels 102 contacting the supporting surface F is L, andthe ratio of H to L may be 0.5^(˜)1, preferably 0.8^(˜)0.09, for meetingthe needs of ergonomics. Therefore, when pulling the lawnmower, onlypart of the weight of the lawnmower is supported by the user, whichmakes the user feel more labor-saving.

From the above, the described lawncare apparatus can be pulledobliquely, and because of the structure mate relationship between theoperating arm and the cylindrical gripping portion, the user can feelmore comfortable during transporting and the pulling process is morestable, so that the volume of the lawncare apparatus during transportingis reduced and the operability of lawnmower pulling is improved. Since asafety switch mechanism is disposed on the operating arm, misoperationof the lawncare apparatus can be avoided and safety of pulling isimproved.

The above illustrates and describes basic principles, main features andadvantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art shouldappreciate that the above embodiments do not limit the present inventionin any form. Technical solutions obtained by equivalent substitution orequivalent variations all fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

The Status of the claims:
 1. A lawn care apparatus, comprising: a mainbody; a plurality of wheels supporting the main body; a cutting bladedisposed in the main body; a motor supported by the main body fordriving the cutting blade; an electric power source and a power supplycircuit for enabling the electric power source to provide power to themotor; an operation assembly for being operated to activate the motor; ahandle connected to the main body and comprising two telescopic membersslidably coupled to each other; and a control device for allowing themotor to be activated by the operation assembly when one of the twotelescopic members is moved to a predetermined position relative toanother one of the two telescopic members and to prevent the motor frombeing activated by the operation assembly when the one of the twotelescopic members is moved away from the predetermined positionrelative to the another one of the two telescopic members.
 2. The lawncare apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the control devicecomprises a switch connected in the power supply circuit toalternatively connect the electric power source to the motor ordisconnect the electric power source from the motor.
 3. The lawn careapparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the switch is mounted to one ofthe two telescopic members and rotates with the handle.
 4. The lawn careapparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the switch is at least one of acontact switch, a proximity switch, a Hall switch, or a photoelectricswitch.
 5. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein thecontrol device comprises a signal source for sending a control signal tothe power supply circuit to disconnect the electric power source fromthe motor.
 6. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein thesignal source is mounted to one of the two telescopic members androtates with the handle.
 7. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim5, wherein the signal source is at least one of a contact switch, aproximity switch, a Hall switch, or a photoelectric switch.
 8. The lawncare apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the control devicecomprises a switch and a signal source, the switch is configured to betriggered by the operation assembly to activate the motor, and thesignal source sends a control signal to the power supply circuit todisable the activation of the motor when the one of the two telescopicmembers is moved away from the predetermined position relative to theanother one of the two telescopic members.
 9. The lawn care apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a plurality ofswitches connected in the power supply circuit to control the connectionbetween the electric power source and the motor and one of the pluralityof switches turns on when triggered by the operation assembly andanother one of the plurality of switches turns off when the one of thetwo telescopic members is moved away from the predetermined positionrelative to the another one of the two telescopic members.
 10. The lawncare apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the control devicecomprises a signal source for sending signals to the power supplycircuit to control the connection between the electric power source andthe motor, wherein the signal source enables the operation of theoperation assembly to the motor when one of the two telescopic membersis moved to the predetermined position relative to another one of thetwo telescopic members and the signal source disables the operation ofthe operation assembly to the motor when the one of the two telescopicmembers is moved away from the predetermined position relative to theanother one of the two telescopic members.
 11. The lawn care apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein the operation assembly comprises atrigger for controlling the motor to start or stop.
 12. The lawn careapparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the operation assembly furthercomprises an operating member for controlling the motor to start orstop, and the operating member is a button.
 13. A lawn care apparatus,comprising: a main body having a front end and a rear end; a pluralityof wheels supporting the main body; an electrical motor supported by themain body; an electric power source for providing power to theelectrical motor; an operating arm rotatably connected to the main bodycomprising an operation assembly for being operated to control theelectrical motor, an inner pipe coupled to the operation assembly, andan outer pipe rotatably connected to the main body, wherein the innerpipe is disposed at least in part within the outer pipe and slidablerelative to the outer pipe; and a control system comprising: a firstcontrol device configured to be controlled by the operation assembly tostart or stop the electrical motor; a second control device configuredto be controlled according to a rotating position of the operating armwherein, when the operating arm is rotated away from a designatedrotating position relative to the main body, the second control devicemakes the first control device unable to start the electrical motor; anda third control device configured to be controlled according to asliding position of the inner pipe relative to the outer pipe wherein,when the inner pipe is slid away from a designated sliding positionrelative to the outer pipe, the third control device makes the firstcontrol device unable to start the electrical motor.
 14. The lawn careapparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein when the operating arm isrotated to the designated rotating position relative to the main bodyand the inner pipe is slid to the designated sliding position, theoperating arm is in a secure position such that the second controldevice and the third control device allow the first control device tostart the electrical motor.
 15. The lawn care apparatus as recited inclaim 13, the operating arm is capable of being folded to the main bodyto form a storage position, when the operating arm is rotated to thestorage position, the second control device prevents the first controldevice from allowing the operation assembly to start the electricalmotor.
 16. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 13, the outerpipe forms a sleeve structure, and the inner pipe is inserted into theouter pipe to form a telescoping connection.
 17. The lawn care apparatusas recited in claim 13, wherein the third control device is a safetyassembly positioned in the operating arm for providing a force upon theinner pipe to inhibit the inner pipe from being moved towards the mainbody to the designated sliding position relative to the outer pipe. 18.The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 17, wherein the safetyassembly comprises a moveable element that is biased towards the innerpipe, and the moveable element provides the force upon the inner pipeand one end of the moveable element is rotatable relative to the innerpipe.
 19. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein thethird control device comprises a trigger switch positioned in theoperating arm, and the trigger switch is reset in the designated slidingposition.
 20. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 13, whereinthe operation assembly comprises an operating member for controlling theelectrical motor to start or stop, and the operating member is a button.21. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the secondcontrol device comprises a first signal source for sending a firstcontrol signal when the operating arm is away from the designatedrotating position, the third control device comprises a second signalsource for sending a second control signal to the first control devicewhen the inner pipe is away from the designated sliding positionrelative to the outer pipe.
 22. The lawn care apparatus as recited inclaim 13, wherein the second control device comprises a switch forsending a first control signal when the operating arm is rotated to thedesignated rotating position, and the third control device alsocomprises a switch for sending a second control signal to the firstcontrol device when the inner pipe is slid to the designated slidingposition relative to the outer pipe.
 23. The lawn care apparatus asrecited in claim 13, further comprising a locking mechanism and a levelchanging member used to set a plurality of levels and cooperate with thelocking mechanism so as to fix and adjust the rotating position of theoperating arm.
 24. The lawn care apparatus as recited in claim 23,wherein the level changing member is a level change locking plate whichis in a shape of a plate structure and the locking mechanism comprises alevel changing assembly for adjusting the levels of the operating armand a control assembly for controlling the level changing assembly. 25.A gardening tool, comprising: a main body having a front end and a rearend; a plurality of wheels supporting the main body; a cutting bladedisposed in the main body; a motor supported by the main body anddrivingly connected to the cutting blade; a control circuit forcontrolling operation of the motor; an electric power source forproviding power to the motor; an operating arm rotatably connected tothe main body and being capable of being folded to the main body to forma storage position, the operating arm comprising an inner pipe and anouter pipe, wherein the inner pipe is disposed at least in part withinthe outer pipe and slidable relative to the outer pipe to form atelescoping connection, the outer pipe is rotatably connected to therear end of the main body; and a safety assembly disposed in theoperating arm for allowing the control circuit to disable operation ofthe motor when the inner pipe is moved away from a safe positionrelative to the outer pipe in a direction towards the main body.
 26. Thegardening tool as recited in claim 25, wherein the safety assemblyallows the control circuit to enable operation of the motor when theinner pipe is in the safe position relative to the outer pipe.
 27. Thegardening tool as recited in claim 26, wherein the safety assemblycomprises a switch connected in the control circuit such that thecontrol circuit is capable of controlling the electric power source toprovide power to the motor according to a state of the switch.
 28. Thegardening tool as recited in claim 26, wherein the safety assemblycomprises a signal source for sending a control signal to the controlcircuit to disconnect the electric power source to the motor when theinner pipe is away from the safe position relative to the outer pipe.29. The gardening tool as recited in claim 25, further comprising alocking mechanism for locking a rotating position of the operating armwhen the operating arm is not rotated relative to the main body.
 30. Thegardening tool as recited in claim 25, further comprising a lockingmechanism and a level changing member used to set a plurality of levelsand cooperating with the locking mechanism so as to fix and adjust arotating position of the operating arm, wherein the level changingmember is a level change locking plate which is in a shape of a platestructure and the locking mechanism comprises a level changing assemblyfor adjusting the levels and a control assembly for controlling thelevel changing assembly.